Brown Bear, Brown Bear,

What Do You See?

By Bill Martin, Jr. and Eric Carle

The Story

"Brown Bear, Brown Bear, what do you see?" is one of the most famous questions in children’s literature. The story introduces a series of animals asking the same question, "What do you see?" The brown bear answers the question first. The other characters – a red bird, a yellow duck, a blue horse, a green frog, a purple cat, a white dog, a black sheep, a goldfish, a mother and children – answer in turn.

Bill Martin’s simple story is a fun way for children to learn about animals and colors. Eric Carle’s colorful pictures capture children’s attention. This story provides an exciting way to help children learn. The words are so simple that after a few readings, children will be able to "read" the book to parents.

 


 

Some Strategies for Reading Brown Bear, Brown Bear,
What Do You See? With Children

 

Here are two ideas you might try when reading the book with your children.

 

Pointing to words:

You can point to words as you say them. This helps children learn that words have meaning. And, children will begin to understand that written words can be spoken. Notice on the videotape how the parent points to some of the words as she reads them. Awareness of print and words can be an exciting discovery. Don’t worry if younger children do not recognize words. That will come when they are reading. Older children may begin reading by recognizing words.

 

Prediction:

As you are reading the book, you can ask children what they think will happen next. This lets children use their imagination and problem solving skills. You’ll notice in the videotape how the parent asks her child what comes next. After you and your children have read the book several times, you can try asking what comes next. Predicting what comes next is fun and is a great way to strengthen children’s attention span and memory skills.

 

Before reading the book:

Asking children a few questions before you read the book together can help get them interested.

 

 

 

After reading the book:

Asking a few questions to children after you read the book can help them think more about the story.

 

 

Ideas of things to do together

The learning from books need not end once you’ve finished the book. Try these activities to extend the learning and fun. Each is designed to build language and literacy skills.

Bear Puppet

 Make a copy of the bear picture below. Cut Bear on outside lines. Cut out head separate from body. Glue the head to the bottom of the paper bag. Glue the body under the head. Put in hand and play!

 

 

 

Brown Bear Flannel Board Story
Use the materials in this packet. Help children color the animals. Cut out the pieces. They can be like the story or children can use their own imagination! A shoe box or pizza box is a good place to store the pieces.

 

 

Tear Apart Art

Have your child tear the construction paper into different sizes. Glue together to make a fun art project.

 

 

Teddy Bear Action Song and Movements

Sing this song and act out the movements:

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, turn around.

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, touch the ground.

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, show your shoe.

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, that will do!

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, go upstairs.

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, brush your hair.

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, turn off the light.

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear say goodnight!

 


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University of Nevada, Reno
Please direct questions to: dweigel@unr.nevada.edu
URL of this document: http://www.scs.unr.edu/~dweigel/

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